Automatic operation controller having predetermining means



Oct. 20, 1953 H. |N Rs 2,656,109

AUTOMATIC OPERA I N TROLLER HAVING PREDETERMIN MEANS Filed Dec. 15. 1949 5 sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 20, 1953 Filed Dec. 1.5. l949 H. LINDARS AUTOMATIC OPERATION CONTROLLER HVING PREDETERMINING MEANS 5 sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 20, 1953 H. LINDARS 2,656,109

AUTOMATIC OPERATION CONTROLLER HAVING PREDETERMINING MEANS Filed Deo. 3.5, 1949 5 sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 20, 1953 H. LINDARS AUToMATIc OPERATION CONTROLLER HAVING PREDETERMINING MEANS 5 sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Deo. 15, 1949 Patented Oct. 20, 1953 UNITED ST'TEISv OFFICE Application fiecemer 15, 1949, Serial No. 133,203 In Great Britain December 17, 1948 I(oi. 235-132) 9 Glainis: 1 This :Invention concerns automatic operation or event controllers in Which a predetermined programme of successive` events and their respective durations is first set up ona suitable device, and the subsequent initiation of the first event,

its termination after the desired period, and.

the initiation and termination of the successive events are automatically controlled. In this specification, the term programme is regarded as including the case where only one event is concerned but this event is required to take place repeatedly, and the durations of successive occurrences may be required to be different.

The programme may be automatically repetitive or not as desired. The events may be of similar or different natures. e. g. mechanical operations such as the movement of ak member o'r the injection or discharge of a given volume of fluid, or phases of physical .r chemical treatment such as heating or digesting stages ina process, or the like. As examples of practical applications of the invention may be cited the. control of a number of Sequential steps in the manufacture of an article such, for example, as the manufacture of scap or paint, or the processing of commodities, such as laundering processesor Chemical or like treatments, suchas Water softening or metallurgical heat treatment processes.

In certain known forms of automatic event controllers, a number of sequential events are represented by markings in the form of, apertures in a perforatedchart which is constituted by a flexible band or Strip of insulating material, and which is movedat constant speed over a conducting surface beneath a number of exploring contact fingers, each of which is connected in circuit With an electrical relay or like device for effecting the operation of a corresponding event, the said device being energised when an aperture in the chart is presented to the respective exploring contact` fingerto permit the said finger to make electrical contact with the underlying conducting surface. The perliod of duration of the selected event is then determined-fon the known value of constant speed of the chartby the length of the.correspondingaperturenieasured in the direction of motion of the chart.

Such known apparat'us normallyy suffers from two disadvantages. to reduce the overall sizeiof the .perforated chartl where a large number of events. is involved, or Where the successive events havelongdurations,W it. is necessary to reduce thespeedofV thechart so that the lengths of the apertures can be kept In the-first place, in order to a practical minimum.v This, however, involves a corresp'ondingly high degree of accuracy in the initial formationiof the apertures, and the selection of a material for the chart Which is, for all practical purposes, inextensible under varying ambient conditions of, say, temperature or humidity. In addition, the Wear on a continuously moving chart at the point where it is engaged by the exploring contact fingers is relatively high, particularly at the beginning and end of an aperture so that the accuracy of length of an aperture can soon be seriusly impaired and lead to undue prolongaticn of the corresponding event. Thus, such charts normally have to be frequently changed, Which involves the manufacture of a number of charts for the same programme to Within close limits of accuracy. The apparatus thus' tendsi te be relatively expensive to maintain.

It is an object of the present inventicn to overcome these disadvantages, and to provide automatie event control apparatus in whichV the accuracy` of duration of an event is largely independe'nt of the toleran'ces of manufacture of the controller. Another object is to provide automatic event control apparatus in Which the danger of undesired overlapping of events, due to Wear of the p'rogramme setting device, is substantially reduced or elimnated.

Throughout this specification the term duration is used to denote any period which is measured either by reference to a clock mechanism or' to apparatus which counts discrete occurrences, such as the passage of successive unit quantities of a substance. The latter may be units of Volume of flow of a fluid, whether continuous or intermittent, or numbers of articles passing along la given patl.

According to the present invention automatic me'chanism for Controlling an event comprises means for generating impulses to represent duration of the event in any desired scale of units, means for,pres'electirigV the number of impulses in a train to represent a desired duration of the event, and means for terminating the event When the predetermined number of impulses has been counted.

The meansfor preselecting the number of impulses in a train representing a desired duration of the event may comprisea multicontact selecting switch having a number of fixed contacts to be successively engaged by a moving contact which is advanced stepwise from one contact to the next by a step-by-step mechanism energised intermittentlyfin accordance With the passage of units of time or now as the case may be. An example of such a step-by-step selector switch is the device generally known as a uniselector switch oommonly used in automatic telephone and like circuits.

Alternatively, the said preselecting means may comprise a chart having markings thereon at positions representing the desired duration of the said event and exploring means to co-operate With the said lnarkings to define the instant of termination of the event.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, various embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an arrangement of perforated chart;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to 1 of a modified construction;

Flg. 3 is a fragmentary view of an alternative form of chart;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of a further alternative form of chart;

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of a controller using a chart as shown in ig. l or 2;

Figs. 6 and '7 are circuit diagrame of alternative constructions of controller.

Throughout the drawings, like parts carry similar reference numerals.

Referring first to Figs. l and 5, the desired lprogramme of events and their durations is marked on a chart l (omitted from Fig. 5 for clarity of illustration of the electrical circuit) which is in the form of a strip of fiexi'ole but inextensiole insulatng material. The chart is passed over an electrically conducting surface divided into three sections 2, 3, f, and is driven by means of a pair of sprockets which engage driving holes t along the edges of the chart. The

rst section 2 of electrical conducting surface over which the chart i is passed is co-extensive with a first group of fixed resilient contact fingers IS which are mounted on a common carrier bar ii so as to hear resiliently against the surfaces of the chart i. The fingers 'fa 'le of this first group 'i' represent the different operations or events to be controlled, each finger representing a respective event and being connected to an electrical device FA 'lE for performing the desired operation. This device may, for example, comprise a solenoid for operating a valve (as in the embodiment illustrated) or a switch for Controlling a motor.

The remaining fingers Iii are divided into two groups 8, 9, the first representing the units from 0 to 4 inclusive whilst the others represent the 5's and lOls from O to 95 inclusive. These two groups 8, 9 constitute a second series of fingers which control the duration of an event. Each finger 2-a te in the units group is connected to contacts correspondingly numbered 0 to 4 respectively in the units contact bank l2 of a units rotary selector switch ii; of the kind com- :nonly used in automatic telephone circuts, Whilst each rlnger of the 5's and lc's groups 8, 9 respectively is connected to a corresponding channel in a iGis rotary selector switch If; of similar design. It will be understood that these rotary selector switches 13, lil are represented in Fig. 5 in the conventional manner by a developed diagram.

A synchronous motor E5 drives a timing or clock electrical pulse generator iii, whilst each of the controlled devices lD, l'E which, in the example shown, is adapted to supply, say, a

measured volume of a fluid or a given number of articles incorporates a respective quantity meter ll'd, ic to which is connected a corresponding electrical impulse generator id, iile, each impulse representing a unit of volume or a predetermined number of articles. With each event performing device A 'IE is associ-y ated a corresponcling relay AU), BU), C(l), D(3), E(2) respectively which is connected across the electrical circuit to the device so as to be energised simultaneously therewith. Each of these relays operates a set of contacts referenced respectively A1; B1; C1; D1, Dz, De; and E1, E2. The contacts A1, B1, C1, Dz and E2 are normally open whilst the contacts Di, B3 and E1 are normally closed, these states `Being reversed on energisation of the appropriate relays. The contacts D1 and E1 are connected in series between the output from the time impuise generator Iii and the contacts A1, B1 and C1 connected in parallel with each other. The circuit is completed to earth through the operating coil l3a of the selector switch i3.

The clock generator IG is thus connected in circuit with the operating coil Sc of the selector switch IE on each occasion when the event performed by one of the devices le., '533, 'EC is initiated by the chart i. When the chart sclects the event performed by the device FD, however, the relay D(3) is energised to open the contacts D1 and Da and to close the contacts D2. The latter place the owmeter pulse generator iSd in circuit.

with the operating coil la of the selector switch` l3 so that the latter is stepped round at a rate corresponding to the rate of flow of fluid orarticles through the meter ld. At the same time, the opening of the contacts B3 opens the circuit from the fiowrneter pulse generator lc to the operating coil i3a of the selector switch IS. Similarly, if the chart l selects the event perforined by the device le, the contacts E1 are opened and the contacts E2 are closed so that the circuit from the generator ic is coinpleted through the normally closed contacts De to the operating coil lSa, and the selector switch l is stopped round at a rate dependent on the rate of flow of articles or fiuid through the meter lc.

Thus it will be seen that the relays A( l B( I CU), D(3) and E(2) are operative to energise the `relay l3a of the selector switch 13 in accordance with the um'ts in which the duration of the associated event is measuredi. e. in the case of the events perfornzed by the devices TA. lB, iC, the duration is measured in units of time, whilst in the case of the devices "1D, E, the duration is measured in terms of units of flow. Furthermore, the relay contacts are interlocked to ensure that in no circumstances is the clock generator lt connected in circuit with the coil isa when an event performed by one of the devices 2D, E is selected by the chart i, and vice versa.

The selector switch [3 has a second bank of contacts I 9, every fifth contact (marked 4 in Fig. 5) being paralleled and connected, through relay contacts Gz referred to below, to the operating coil Ida of the 10's rotary selec..or switch 14. A wiper 20 engages the bank I2 in the selector switch 13 and is connected in series with a wiper 2| which engages a contact bank 22 in the 10's selector switch I4, the contacts of which are connected, in order, to respective fingers Sa, 9b 9r, St (only the first two and last three circuits are shown in full in Fig. 5 to avoid con-.

fusion of the diagram) aeuaico Each selector'switch 153, 14 also'ihas aWhoming' bank of 'contacts 23, `-24 respectively, .theco-operating wipers 25., 26`-being connected in series with respective self-drivercontacts 21,. 23 .and the correspondi-ng operating coils l-3a, Ma. These self-drive contacts Vare arranged, in relation to the magnetic core of 'the associated |operating coil, in the manner of trembler 'contacts so that, When lenergised 'at the appropriate moment l(as described below), they cause the :respective coils l3'a, 'l'4a to drive all the wipers in their selectors until the homing w-iper -or 26, 'as the case. may be. reaches an. open or zero contac'tin the corresponding homing bank. The remaining 'contacts in each homing bank arey strapped together and connected A'to the'p'ositivemain throughrelay contacts Gr (see below). The .zero contacts (marked O in Fig.y 5) are located'at'every fifth place on the bank 23, 'but only in 'the first place on the bank 24. The Selector switch l3 is thus homed on to any one of the-zeroV contacts on the *bank 12, Vwhilst the selector switch 1:4 is homed only on to the. zero'contacton the bank 22.

A further bank 29, of -hold-in contacts in each selector l3, 1.4, respectively, is arranged similarly to the homing contact bank 23 or 24 in that Selector, and both banks `are connected in series/with Aa relay F 3 through hold-on contacts F2. The other Aside of the relay is connected to the positive main. It will thus be-seen that, once energised, the relay 'F(3') will be held in so long as either of the hold-in wipers 31, y32 is hunting for a zero contact on Vthe respective bank 29, 30.

The relay F(3) is connected'in series 'between the positive main and theV units section '3 of the conducting hsur'faceover Which the chart l is advanced, 'and 'controls a .pair of .normally closed contacts F1 which serve Vto connectV the positive main to the events 'section 2 of the said surface with which vthe events Afingers 'l -engage. The circuitfof the relayF-(Ci) 'is'completed to earth through the conducting section'3, one of the fingers in the group 8 (selected by one of a pair of apertures in the chart l), a corresponding channel on the contact bank l2 of the units selector switch l`3, the Wiper 20, the wiper 2l ofthe 1'0's selector switch l4, the channel on the contact bank 22 corresponding to the finger 9a Bt of the group'9` Which is selected by the other of the pair of apertures 35 in'the chart 'l, the said selected finger Sa -9t, and the conducting section 4, which is 'earthed When this series circuit is completed, the relay F(3) operates to open the vcontacts F1v and thus to disconnect the positive main from the device 'l-A 'IE corresponding tothe'nger 'la Te selected by an aperture 34 in the chart l. Simultaneously the relay AU) is released and the .contacts A1 are opened to de-energise the operating coil l3a of the units selector switch l3.

vThe time which elapses betweennthe energisation of one of the devices 'IA f. 'IE kand the operation of the relay F(3.)depends upon the time required for the wipers `2ll and .21 to make their several excursions along the contact Vbanks #2, 22 respectively. The .wiper 2I is stepped round by the operating coil |4awhich-receives its pulses from the carry-over bank of contacts 19 on the units vSelector l3fland the coacting wiper 33. A carry-over pulse is transmitted to the 'coil l-4a. on each occasion When the wiper 33 passes over a fifth contact-marked 4 in the drawings. The speed of operation of the selector l4 is thus one fif-th that of'the Selector 13, vsince the speed of operation 'of the Selector 'switches l3, .14 either constant 4(Iintheccasefof a time controlled event) or directly :proportional 'to flow through the device 1D, TE (in the "case of an event whose duration is determined interms of units I'of flow), it will be seen that the circuit from the conducting section 3 to the conducting 'section 4 constitutes an adjustable time switchV for determining the duration of the selected event.

It Will further be Aunderstood that, in 'the example -illustrated-,,where the duration of the event does not reach the minimum value in the range' envisaged by the tens group of fingers 9, the lowest or zero finger Ba of the group must make contact 'with the 'conducting surface v4 through an aperture 3'5 in the chart 1, this ensuring continuity of the 'series Acircuit Vthrough the zero contact on the bank 22 of the tens selectorswitch |-'4. Similarly, where the duration isan integral multiple of the minimum value Vrepresented by the group of fingers 9, the lowest or zeronfinger Sa of the units group 8 must make contact with the conducting section 3, the series circuit being completed through one of the zero contacts -on the bank 12 of the units selector switch 13. The chart l thus consists (Fig. l) vof rows R of apertures 34, 35, *there being one event aperture 34 to co-operate with one of the 'five event fingers 'la 'le-andtwo duration apertures-35, one to co-operate with a 'finger of feach of the groups 8, 9. These apertures 34, l35 .are not required to be formed to any 'close tolerances, but they are grouped in straight lrows R across the chart. Each aperturefl34 is operative, therefore, to select the particular event lwhichfit is required should take place. In the same row, the. two. apertures 35 are operative to determine .the duration of the event represented by the first aperture 34 in the row.

The chart isV advanced by means-of an electromagneticallydriven pawl and ratchet mechanism 36, the operating coil 31 of which iscontrolled by relay contacts Ga Which are closed when the desired .period of duration -of a given event, asldetermined by the chart hasfelapsed.

Whenjthe relay Fl3) has operated to open the contacts F1 and terminate 'the event, the contacts F2, Fa are closed simultaneously with the release of therelay A1. The `closingof -contacts F2, as has lalready lbeen described, Iconnects the positive main lthrough the .relay M3) to the commoned-contacts'on -bothbanks y29, 30 in the Vselector switches 13, |4 v.respectively, and thence through the wipers 34,, 32' to earth. The relay F(3) Iis thus held in.

The closing of contacts vF3 energises a slugged relay G(3) which operates contacts G1, Gz and Gs. Contacts G1 close to -connect the positive main to the banks 23, l24 and thence through wipers 25, 26 to the respecti-ve self-drive contacts 27, 28 of the Selector switches Hi, lf4. Each operating coil Ha, vMat then -homes, 'or returns all its wipers to a zero position, and automatically becomes de-energised. simultaneously, contacts Gz `are opened so that no carryover pulses are fed -to the yoperating coil 2411 from the carry-over" bank I-9- of they units 'selector switch l-3 ,(via the wiper 33/) should the latter have to pass over a 4 contact during the -automatic self-drive lperiod. The contacts Ga are closed to energise the coil 3'!V which Vlocates the pawl of the .pawl and ratchet mechanism V36 in engagement with the Inext tooth of the ratchet wheel, but lholds. itv so .long las the coil 31 is energsed. Stepwise advance of the chart l cannot, therefore, immediately take place, but occurs, under the action of a spring 38, when the coil 31 is de-energised. The relay (Ei-(3) remains energised so long as the contacts Fa are closed-i. e. until the selector switches have homed When these contacts are opened., the relay G(3) releases the contacts G1, Ga and restores the contacts Ge, the circuit being then in a state of readiness to act upon the next instruction from the chart l. Release of the relay contacts Gr, Gz, Ge is delayed slightly by the presence of the slug on the relay G(3). This ensures that everything is in readiness before the chart i is advanced.

It is preferred to arrange (see Fig. 2) that the common carrier bar ll on which the fingers l are mounted can be rotated through a small angle to raise the fingers clear of the chart i immediately prior to its advancing movement so that no frictional Wear takes place between the fingers and the chart. For this purpose, the carrier bar ll is pivotally supported at its ends in frame members such as the frame of the pawl and ratchet mechanism and a bracket 03. The spindle 64 which is carried in the bracket 63 has secured to the free end thereof an arm 65 which is pinned at its one end to the plunger 68 of a solenoid G'i, and at its other end is engaged by a coiled tension spring 63 Which serves to bias the fingers l into contact with the chart. The solenoid 61 may be connected in parallel with the coil 31 of the chart advancing mechanisrn 36, or may be separately controlled through individual relay contacts.

In an alternative arrangement, a series of cams or a lift bar may be provided for positively lifting the fingers 10 out of contact with the chart.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, the chart is in the form of a disc la, the exploring fingers l0 being located on a radius of the disc.

The exploring devices may be in the form of photo-electric cells to be illuminated by light passed through the holes in the chart. Alternatively, the chart may be of a magnetic material, the markings being constituted by magnetic poles and the exploring devices by electromagnetic pick-ups.

Where the exploring ,elements are of a mechanical nature or are mechanically operated, the chart may be of a hard material and provided with markings in the form of projections or depressions for effecting the necessary displacements of the exploring elements. Such a chart lb is shown in Fig. 4 in which the event markings 34m and the duration markings 35a are in the form cf embossed projections which are engaged by rockers IUa.

In an arrangement such as that described above, it will be evident that any programme within the capacity of the controller can be operated by the provision of the appropriate chart, thus imparting a high degree of flexibility to the controller.

An alternative construction of programme controller according to the present invention is particularly suitable in cases Where the prcgramme for a given process is largely fixed and the sequence of events is not variable, or are variable to only a limited extent. In this form, illustrated in Fig. 6, the events to be controlled are each represented by a contact or channel cn one or both of the banks 39, of contacts of a rotary preselector switch PS of the telephone type. This Selector will be hereinafter referred to as the programme Selector switch. The controller is initially designed for a. given programme, and each device TA 'IE is connected to one or more of the contacts in the banks 39, 40 according to the position in the programme sequence at which the event associated with the device is to occur. Thus, in the example shown, the winding of the device 'IA is connected to the contacts numbered I, 3, 6 and S on the bank 39, whilst the device TB is connected to the contacts 2, 9 and 12. The devices 'IC and 1D are similarly connected to other contacts on the bank 39. The device 'ID is also connected to contact 5 on the bank 40, whilst the device 'IE is connected to contact ll on the bank 40. Each device 'IA 'IE is thus adapted to be energised when the wiper 39a of the bank 39, or the wiper 40a of the bank 40, engages the corresponding contact in the bank, as will be described below.

The programme selector switch PS is also provided with a contact bank 4l, the first twelve sequential contacts being severally connected to contacts on the bank 42 of a counting selector switch CS. Each contact on the bank 42 represents a different duration of an event, and hence the desired duration of any one event in the pragramme can be preset by connecting the appropriate contact on the bank 4| of the programme selector switch PS to the particular contact on the bank 42 of the counter switch CS which represents the desired duration.

The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 6 relates to a programme of operation of a series of solenoid operated valves in diffrent fluid circuits, these valves constituting the respective devices 'IA 'IE. The devices TA, TB, 'IC control fluid circuits in Which the fluid is required to be delivered on a time or clock basis. The devices 1D, TE control fluid circuits in which the fluid is to be delivered by volume. The programme represented by the circuit can be tabulated as follows:

7B..- 7 7D and 7E.. 'TB

From the above table, it will be seen that the numbering of the events corresponds with the sequential numbering of the contacts on the banks 39, 40 and 4I, whilst the numbers of pulses representing the units of time or volume correspond with the sequential numbers of the contacts cn the bank 42 of the counter selector switch CS.

The thirteenth contact on the bank 39 of the programme selector switch PS is connected to the relay F(2) the other side of which is earthed. This thirteenth contact is also directly connected to a bank of contacts 43 on the programme selector switch PS, all the contacts of which except the zero contact are strapped together. The wiper 43a associated with the bank JThe counter Selector -So Athat the relay G(4) 43 is connected to thepositive main through krnormally open contacts`F1 controlled by the relay F(2). A further or'homing bank of contacts 44 in the programme Selector switch is arranged similarly to the bank 43, and is also connected to the positive main through normally open contacts F2, also controlled by the relay F(2). The wiper 44-a of this bank is connected to the Self-drive or zeroising contacts Zp of the operating coil PR of the programme Selector Switch PS.

The wiper 42a associated with the bank of contacts 42 of the counter Selector switch CS is connected to a relay GM), the other side of which is connected to earth. The Wiper 4la of the bank of contacts 4! in the programme Selector stirii-ch is connected direct to the positive main. It will thus be seen that the relay G(4) is energised when the wper 42a of the counter Selector switch finds a Contact of the bank 42 Which is energised from that contact of the 'bank 4| in the programme Selector SwitchPS Which is, for the time being, engaged by the wiper 4la.

'The counter Selector switch CS also has two contact banks 45, 46, the former of which is directly connected to the positive main whilst the .'latter or homing bank is connected thereto A through the normally open contacts Ga operated by the relay Gol). All but the zero contacts on .each of these two banks are strapped together. The wiper 45m is connected to the relay G(4) through normally open hold-on contacts Gz, Whilst the wiper 4Ea is connected to the selfdrive contacts Ze associated with the operating coil CR of the counter Selector switch CS.

The operation of the controller is as follows. All the .wipers of both Selector switches are ini- ,tially at the zero position. The programme is .initiated by means of a push button P, the Vclosure of which energises the operating relay PR of the programme Selector switch PS. The Selector switch thus advances one step So that the wiper -39a makes contact with the first operative contact on the bank 39. (This contact is numbered l in the drawings.) The device 'IA is thereupon energised to open the valve in the fluid.. circuit associated therewith. simultane- .ously, the relay A( l) is energised, and the contacts A1 operated thereby are closed to connect the clock pulse generator IG in circuit with the operating coil CR of the counter Selector switch At the same time as the wiper 39a moves on to` contact number l of the bank 39, the wiper 4la. is advanced to engage the corresponding contact on the bank 4! of the programme selector switch PS, and this contact is directly connected to the eighth contact on the bank 42 of the counter Selector switch CS. This latter contact is thus connected to the positive main. switch CS is Stepped round by the clock pulse generator IG until the Wiper 42a finds the live contact (No. 8) on the bank 42, where'upon the relay Gr is energised.

vEnergisation of this relay open the normally closed contacts G1 which are connected in series between the positive main and the wipers 39a,

.ma of the programme Selector switch. The devvice 'IA isthereby d e-energised to terminate the *first event, and the relay AU) is simultaneously released to open the contacts A1 and thus to kstop the counter Selector Switch CS. At the same time, the hold-on contacts Gz are closed remains energised through the wiper 45a and the bank of contacts 45 in the counter Selector Switch. The contacts Gs are also closed to energise the homing bank 46 of the counter Selector Switch, and thence, through the wiper 4Ga and the Selfdrve contacts Ze, to energise the operating coil CR. of the counter Selector switch CS.

The relay G(4) also closes the normally open contacts Gt to connect the positive main to the driving coil PR of the programme Selector Switch PS, the Wipers of Which are moved on one step. The construction of the switch, however, is such that the movement of the wpers does not take place until the operating coilPR is again de-energised.

The counter Selector switch CS continuesto home until the wipers 45a, 4611 reach the zero contacts of their respective banks 45, 46 and thus de-energise the relay C-(4) and disconnect the Supply to the self-drive contacts Ze of the operating coil CR. AS soon as the relay G(4) isreleased, the contacts Gr are opened So that the operating coil PR is de-energised and the wipers of the programme Selector switch PS are advanced one step. Simultaneously, the positive main is reconnected to the wipers l39a, 40a through the normally closed contacts G1 So that the device Which is connected to the second contacts on the banks 39, 40 is energised. In the arrangement shown this is the device 1B.

The series of operations is thus repeated, lexcept that the fourteenth contact on the bank42 of the counter Selector Switch is now energised in place of the eighth, and the valve controlled by the device 'IB remains open until the Wiper 42a has beenstepped round as far as the fourteenth contact. VSubsequent events in the pro- .gramme are similarly carried out, .as Will be understood.

When the relay G(4) has been energised to terminate the last event represented by the contact l 2 on the bank 39 of 4the programme Selector switch PS, the next step of this Selector switch energises the thirteenth contact which is connected to the relay F(2). This relay thus operateS to close the contacts F1, F2. Thewiper 43a now connects .the positive main through the bank 43 to the relay F2, and Serves as a hold-on circuit for this relay until the programme selector Switch .PS has been automatically restored to zero. The homing bank 44 is connected through the wiper 44a to the self-drive contacts Zp whereby the operating coil PR is energised may be arranged to repeat the programme automatically if desired.

Although it has been indicated that the controller is designed for a fixed programme, it will be understood that Some degree of flexibility can be introduced by the provision of additional switching arrangements between the programme Selector bank 4I and the counter Selector bank 42. Thus, for example, in certain circumstances it may be .desirable to vary the duration Aof an event in the programme. This can be achieved by insertinga change-over switch 41 or a set of parallel connected interlocked push-buttons 48 in .the corresponding connection between the banks 4! and 42 on the respective selectorsPS, CS Whereby alternative duration contacts on the counter Selector bank 42 can be placed in circuit with the given event contact on the programme Selector bank 4I.

Similarly, an event-Controlling device 1A 'JE may be connected through a similar changeover switch 41', or Set of interlocked push-buttons 48' to any one of a plurality of contacts in the bank 39 or lil] of the programme Selector PS so that the position of the event in the sequence can be varied to Suit special circumstances. Within the limits of permissible space and complexity of the controller in any particular instance, therefore, this form of programme controller is fiexible, and has the advantage that changes of prograrnme can be made instantaneously, and during operation of the apparatus, instead of requiring the stopping thereof for a suicient time to enable a chart to be changed.

In a still further alternative arrangement. some or all of the connections to the contacts of the banks 38, 42), 3l and 42 may be made by means of flexible leads and wander plugs so that any programme Within the capacity of the apparatus can be set up.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in Fig. 7, the apparatus is intendecl for use in supplying a predetermined quantity of, say, a fiuid at each event, which quantity can be preset on the apparatus by an operator, the instant of commencement of the event being chosen at will. The apparatus comprises a pulse generator 50, Which may be driven by a volumetric fiow-meter (not shown), the output from the generator 50 being fed to the driving coils CR1, CRQ, CRa respectively. Each Selector has two banks of fixed contacts l, 52; 53, 54; Y

and 55, 56 respectively, and a moving contact 5 l a 56a associated with each in known manner.

A control valve in the fiuid circuit (not shown) is operated .by a Servo-motor or solenoid M Which is connected in circuit with the positive main through contacts H1 of a relay H( 5). Each contact in the banks 5l, 53, and 55 on the respective Selector switches CSz, CS3, CSi is connected to a corresponding contact on a respective single pole -way duration presetting Collective switch 51, 58, 59. (Only the Connections between the bank El of the selector CSi and the 10-way switch 51 are shown in the drawings to avoid undue complexity thereof.)

The tenth contact on each of the banks 5l, 53 of the selectors CS1, CSz is connected, through normally open relay contacts Jz, Ja respectively, to the driving magnet CRz CRQ of the next succeeding Selector CS2, CSs, so that the latter is advanced one step on every tenth step of the preceding Selector. The Selector CSa thus counts hundreds, the Selector CSz tens, and the Selector Csi units, of pulses derived from the pulse generator 58, the units, tens, and hundreds of a numbei' representing the desired duration of the event concerned being preset on the Collective presetting switches 51, 58, 59 respectively. These latter are provided With tailed or Short-circuiting moving contact arms 51a, 58a, 59a which are arranged to short-circuit all the contacts between zero and the value to which they are individually preset. The moving contact arms la, 58a, 59a are connected to the positive main through the normally closed contacts of a push button SP. The wipers 5la, 53a, 55a of the selectors CS1, CSz CS3 are commoned and connected through the normally open contacts of a push button P to the relay H(5).

All the contacts except the ZGrO-POStOn C011- iii) tacts in each of the banks 52, 54, 55 are strapped together and are energised from the positive main. The wiper 52a is connected to the driving magnet CRi of the Selector CSi through normally closed relay contacts H2 and self-drive contacts` Zi. Similarly, the wiper 54a is connected to the driving magnet CRz through normally closed relay contacts H3 and Self-drive contacts Zz, and the wiper 55a to the driving magnet CRx through normally closed relay contacts and self-drive contacts Za.

In operation, the duration of the event controlled by the device M is first set up on the ten- Way switches 51, 58, 59. Push button P is then pressed to complete the circrit irc-.n the positive main through the moving contact arms Sia, a, 586; of the 10-way switches 51, 5:3 to the fixed contacts on the Selector fi, 55, and thence through the wipers to earth through the relay I-(5). This relay is thus energised, provided that at least one of the lO-way switches 51, 58, 59 is set to a number other than zero.

When the relay H(5) is operatefzl, its contacts H1, H2, Ha, Hi, and H5 perform the following functi-ons:

H1 connects the positive main to the device M, thus starting the pulse generator through the connection Gt (Which may be of a mechanical or electrical nature), and energising the relay Ja inmittently;

H2, H3, H4 disconnect the homing banks 52, 54, 56 on the selectors Csi, CSz, CSa from their respective driving magnets CRi, CRz, CR3;

H5 short-circuits the push button P, holding in the relay H(5) so that the push button can be released without stopping the controller.

The presetting Collective switch 51 connects the positive main through the push button SP to those fixed contacts on the bank 51 of the Selector Csi which are connected to the contacts engaged by the arm 51a of the presetting switch 51-in the example shown, the contacts l, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Hence the wiper 5 l a will be connected to the positive main for its first four steps on the bank 5! (zero on the bank being connected to contact No. I on the presetting switch), and on the fifth step will be disconnected. Similar conditions obtain for the switch 58 and wiper and for the switch 59 and the Wiper Sa, so that when the wipers la, 530., 55a are all on fixed contacts on their respective banks which are not connected to the positive main through switches 51, 58, 59, the relay I-I(5) will be de-energisecl.

The pulse generator 59 connects the positive main intermittently to the relay J (3) so that it will be energised and de-energised at the generator frequency. The operating coil CPti is thus energised at the generator frequency through the contacts Ji and one or more of the wipers 5l a, a, 55c. The Wiper la of the units Selector CSi will continue to be stepped round sc long as the relay J (3) continues to be energised, which in turn depends on the continued energisation of the relay H 5) through one or more of the wipers la, 53a, 55a. Each time the wiper Ela reaches the tenth contact on the bank 5l, it connects the positive main to the relay contacts Jz, and thus the next pulse from the generator 50 will energise both the driving magnets CR1 and CRz, causing the selectors CS1 and. CSz to move on one step together. imilarly, each time the Wiper 53a of the Selector CSz reaches its tenth contact, it connects the positive main to the relay contacts Ja and thus the next pulse will energise all three driving magnets CRi, CRz, CR; and move all thef-selectors on. one.- step toaethen It will thus seenthat: the Selector 0,82 is; moved one ,step for everyV tensteps oftheV Selector QSi, and the Selector GSs is moved one;stepfor1 every hundred Steps of the; Selector Csi.

Whenl the total number of; Sit-'ps made .bythe selectorCSi is eq-ual to the total set on the presetting switchcs :'51, E19;v representing the desired duration of the event; performed; by the device M), each-.of the wipers` willbe. onfiz-od contacts; on the respective banks 5l, 53,555 whichare not connected to the positivev main, and thu the relay I-I(5) Will. be; de-ericrgisf-zd. The device M isfthereby de-energised and tho event is terminated. At. the; sametime the; self-:irina conta ts Zi, Zz, Za, are; energised through the homing banks, 52, 54, 55V (Which are connected' to, the positive main), homing wipersl 52c, Sea andrelay contacts H2., Hz, Hi respectively, and all theselectors 081,052, Cs return immediately to zero position. The controller is then ready for the next event.

If' it is desired to stop the event before the preset durati'on has elapsed, the push button SP i'sdepressed sothat the positive main is disconnected immediately from the banks 51, 53', 5.5 and the relay Hi5) is. de-energised to open the contacts H1 and H5 and to allow the contacts H2, Ha, H4, to reclose. The seleotors CSi, 0.82, C-Sz then home to their zero positions.

By means of apparatus according to the invention, therefore, the duration of an event can be pre-selected on a duration presetting device the manufacturing tolerances of which do not determine the degree of accuracy to which the controller Will operate, whilst the amount of Wear during use does not proportionately affect .this accuracy.

In a modified form of the controller described above With reference to Fg. 7, one or more push button or like preselector devices may each be arranged, in known manner, to short-circuit groups of contacts on the banks 51, 53, 55 and connect them to the positive main so as to preselect specific durations-as, for example, where the device M is to be used to control the flow of a fluid in a particular apparatus in which the quantity of fiuid required to be delivered at each event has a limited and known number of values. Such push buttons may be tted as the sole duration presetting devices, or as well as the variable multicontact Collective switches 51, 58, 59 as desired. The controller may also be adapted to operate on a time basis instead of on a basis of units of fiow by providing a clock drive for the generator 50. be incorporated in the one controller, provision being made for the alternative selection of the appropriate drive before the commencement of an event.

In Constructions of controller in which a chart of the kind shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, and the apertures are explored by means of photoelectric cells, one cell is provided in each position occupied by a contact finger l0, the Icontact surfaces 2, 3, and 4 being replaced by a sheet or sheets of transparent material Whereby the apertures 34, 35 may be illuminated. The photocells may control respective electronic relay circuits for performing the necessary operations when the cells are illurninated.

What I claim is:

1. Automatic event control apparatus comprising an impulse generator for generating impulses representing duration of an event, a step- Both forms of drive may 114 'bv-.step elcctor switch adaoted .to be .energised by said gcnorator, a chart having .groups .of

.mai-kings, one group reprcscnting events and another group representing durations of anv event, expioring mea-ns iso-.operating With the events .group .of markings to initiate an. event and to connect ,said generator to the ,Selector switch driving mechanism, further exploring means to coonerate with theduration .group of mark-ines, an operative .connection between the said further exploring means and a selected Vcontact of the Selector switch representing the desired duration of the selected event, and means included in the said operative ,connection for terminating the selected event and for initiating another event.

2. Automatic control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in combination with means for advancing the chart from a position in which one event performing device is cndered operative to the next position in Which another event performing device is renderedoperativc,

B. In oombnation with automatic control apvBambus as clamed in claim 2, .means for resetting the Selector switch to zero on the terminatiOIl Of effCh eVlIlt,

4. Automatic Vcontrol anna-retus comprising a number of devices for performing different.

events, a first multi-contact selector switch having` a series of fixed contacts connected to the event performing devices for energising the latter in accordance with a predetermined programme, a second Seriesl of fixed contacts, a secondv multicontact step-by-step Selector switch, having a4 bank of contacts each representinga different duration, an operative connection between each contact of the said second series and the appropriate contacts of the bank in the second multicontact selector switch, means for terminating the event represented by a given Contact of the firstv series of the first Selector switch when the appropriate contact of the bank in the second selector switch is found, means for returning the moving contact of the second Selector switch to zero on termination of the said event, and means for simultaneously advancing the first selector switch to energise the next event performing device in the programme.

5. Apparatus for Controlling a sequence of events, each having an appropriate duration, comprsing means for generating impulses to measure the said durations in any desired scale of units, a first step-by-step mechanism for effecting the desired successive operation of the events in the sequence, a second and independent step-by-step mechanism for counting the impulses representing the appropriate duration of each event, means for presetting the counter mechanism to count the required number of impulses defining the said appropriate duration of each event in turn, means operated by the counter imechanism. at the end of each event for advancing the first step-by-step mechanism through one step and for simultaneously restoring the said counter mechanism to its zero position, and means controlled by the first step-bystep mechanism for restarting the counter to determine the duration of the next event in the sequence.

6. Apparatus for controlling a sequence of events comprising an impulse generator for generating numbers of impulses to represent, in any desired scale of units, duration of an event in the sequence, means for counting the said pulses, means for preselecting the order of operation of the several events in the said sequence, means for preselecting the required duration of each event including means for presetting, With reference to a. common zero, the number of impulses appropriate to the duration of each successive event in the sequence, a step-by-step mechanism for advancing the said preselecting means, at the termination of an event, to its next operative condition, a relay device connected to the counter through the duration presetting means for energisingr said mechanism when the appropriate number of impulses has been counted, and elements controlled by said relay device for simultaneously initiating the operation of the counter and of an event in dependence on the setting of the event preselectng means.

7. Apparatus for Controlling a sequence of events, each having an appropriate duration, comprising means for generating impulses to measure the said durations in any desired scale of units, an event selector device having a separate preset Condition for each event in the sequence, means assocated with the event selector device for preselecting the number of pulses representing the appropriate duration of the corresponding event, a stepwise drive mechanism for advancing the event and duration Selector clevices to their next operative positions at the end of a preceding event, a counter for counting the preselected number ofimpulses at each successive Condition of the event selector device, an event terminating device connected in series with the said seleetor devices and the counter, and a relay energised by the event terminatng device for operating the stepWise drive mechanism and for returning the counter to zero.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the impulse generating means comprises a first generator embodying a clock mechanism for generating impulses at regular intervale of time and a second generator embodying a member respon- CIO sive to the flow of a commodity for generating impulses representing units, of flow, and relay means associated With the event selected at any given time and energised by the event Selector device connecting to the counter that generator which is appropriate to the selected event.

9. Automatic control apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the means for preselecting the duration of an event comprises a number of multicontact step-by-step selector switches each having a bank of contacts representing different durations of the event, means for energising at will any number of contacts of a bank in each References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,049,634 Troutman Aug. 4, 1936 2,346,869 Poole Apr. 18, 1944 2,348,141 Luhn May. 2, 1944 2,375,413 Guenther May 8, 1945 2,381,920 Miller Aug. 14, 1945 2,422,698 Miller June 24, 1947 2,461,266 Gray Feb. 8, 1949 2,570,306 Battersby Oct. 9, 1951 

